The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that more than 20 houses were impacted by the explosion that occurred on Tuesday night in the Bodija area of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
In a statement released on Wednesday, NEMA stated that as of now, there is no available information on casualties. The agency disclosed that a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) caused the explosion, which triggered panic among residents of Ibadan.
The statement from NEMA read, “Over 20 houses were affected. Casualty figures cannot be ascertained for now. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing.”
NEMA assured residents that security has been reinforced in the area, and additional support is being arranged to facilitate ongoing operations. The agency stated, “The situation has been brought under control, while arrangements are going on to ensure smooth operation.”
Following the incident, Governor Seyi Makinde stated that preliminary investigations by security agencies revealed that explosive devices stored by illegal miners were responsible for the explosion. Governor Makinde, who visited the scene on Tuesday night, emphasized that further investigations were underway, and those found responsible would face legal consequences.
He also announced that the government would cover the medical bills of the victims and provide support for those whose houses were affected, ensuring they can rebuild their lives.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the explosion on Tuesday night, though the exact number of casualties remains unknown. The command assured the public that there is a significant deployment of personnel to maintain order.
The state government has appealed to residents to vacate the incident scene to facilitate ongoing emergency and rescue efforts without interference. According to the government’s official statement on Wednesday morning, search and rescue operations using earth-moving equipment continued throughout the night and remain ongoing, with updates promised as the situation develops.